Snip The Dancer jumped straight to the front to lead Chosen Moment and Street Crime. Grand Emperor found a nice spot trailing the leaders 4th the fence. General Peekay and Tan Tat Rock were a minute back on the turn for home with a lot to do. Snip The Dancer kicked well around the turn as Street Crime dropped out quickly. Grand Emperor eased off the heels of Snip The Dancer to have the last shot at him. Grand Emperor eventually wore down Snip The Dancer by a neck on the line. Chosen Moment ran on well without threatening to win. Tan Tat Rock and General Peekay made late ground but were never in winning positions.

Worth Noting: Great rides by Dwayne Dunn and Dale Smith who got away with some fairly cheap sectionals in front.

Race 2 – 12:45PM Polytrack Handicap (1400 METRES)

Track Condition: Dead 4 Time: 1:24.21 Last 600m: 0:35.15

1

SECRET LIAISON

Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra

Damian Lane

$7

2

GIRESUN

Peter Snowden

Kerrin McEvoy

$6.50

3

HOTHAM HEIGHTS

Luke Oliver

Brad Rawiller

$6

A open betting race for the second event with Giresun being the best tried late. Snow Cover jumped away very awkwardly and lost ground. In doing so made contact with the hindquarters of Blue Ribbon resulting in both horses then getting off balance. Now You Know found the front with ease from Mourinho and Hotham Heights who sat closer than most expected. Giresun found a nice spot in 4th one off the fence. The order didn’t change until the turn when Giresun made his move running past Mourinho and Hotham Heights. Now You Know cornered well and kicked strongly but was found wanting at the 200m. Giresun and Hotham Heights took over and were neck and neck the rest of the straight. Blue Ribbon and Secret Liaison started to make ground out wide with Secret Liaison sprinting very well to pick up the leaders and score by a long neck on the line.

Worth Noting:Secret Liaison continues to race well and has been very well placed by Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra.

Race 3 – 1:20PM D’Urban Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400 METRES)

Track Condition: Good 3 Time: 1:23.38 Last 600m: 0:35.47

1

MELIORA

Peter G Moody

Luke Nolen

$7

2

MEMBERS JOY

Robert Smerdon

Glen Boss

$2.30F

3

RED FEZ

David Hayes

Chad Schofield (a)

$4.60

You have to take your hat off to Luke Nolen who read this race well and never gave anything a chance of catchingMeliora. Nolen rolled her along in front without running stupid sectionals. Around the back he had a 4 length lead on Hamam with 2 lengths to Members Joy and a further 3 lengths to Red Fez. As they turned for home Meliora was 5 lengths in front of Members Joy who was being ridden along by Bossy. She got tired late but still won by 3.5 lengths on the line from Members Joy and Red Fez.

Worth Noting: 10/10 ride by Luke Nolen who showed exactly how to rate a horse in front.

Race 4 – 2:00PM BMW Caulfield Autumn Classic (1800 METRES)

Track Condition: Good 3 Time: 1:49.81 Last 600m: 0:34.62

1

SUPER COOL

Mark Kavanagh

Michael Rodd

$2.60

2

FIVEANDAHALFSTAR

Anthony Cummings

Glen Boss

$1.95F

3

SUBIASO

Robbie Laing

Steven Arnold

$7

This was a two horse race in the betting and it turned out that way in the straight with Super Cool andFivandahalfstar fighting it out with over 5 lengths to Subiaso in Third. The surprise tactics by Bossy was leading this race in a dawdle. If Boss made it a staying test and ran them along the result would have been reversed. I guess they have bigger races in mind during the Autumn with Fivandahalfstar and didn’t want to bottom him out second up. With the added fitness and step up in trip he will be winning next start so stick with him. Take nothing away from Super Cool who was very impressive sitting back in the field and showing a terrific turn of foot to pick up Fivandahalfstar in the straight. If they keep his races under 2000m he will continue to be hard to beat in whatever he contests.

Worth Noting: Super Cool had the best turn of foot and was suited by the slow pace set by Fivandahalfstartoday. Follow both with confidence. The $17 for Fivandahalfstar in the Australian Cup looks good value for an early bet.

Race 5 – 2:40PM Carlton Draught Peter Young Stakes (1800 METRES)

Track Condition: Good 3 Time: 1:50.97 Last 600m: 0:34.21

1

FORETELLER (GB)

Chris Waller

Dwayne Dunn

$14

2

MR MOET

Adam Durrant

Daniel Staeck

$4

3

BUDRIGUEZ

David Jolly

Brett Prebble

$10

This race profiled as a slow pace based on the speed map and it turned out that Budriguez walked them 14 lengths slower than the average for the first 1000m. I think most thought they would go slow but not that slow. The race started to take shape around the 800m when Budriguez clicked up the pace and tried to kick away. Marwingo eased out off the rails to issue his challenge around the turn but looked flat second up and didn’t show the same turn of foot he showed first up. Foreteller stuck to the fence and saved ground around the turn which was the race winning move by Dunn as he wore down Budriguez sprinting quicker than Mr Moet and Marwingo at the top of the straight. The performances of Mr Moet and Marwingo were the ones to follow from the race. The race wasn’t run to suit them and they were entitled to be a bit flat second up. That was compounded by the slow early pace. I was also impressed with the way Tanby was warming up late. A post race veterinary examination of Eclair Surprise revealed the gelding to have an abnormal respiratory issue and trainer Mr P Stokes was advised that Eclair Surprise must undergo an endoscopic examination prior to racing again.

Worth Noting: Chris Waller dominates Sydney racing and it’s not that often that he brings them to Melbourne so it pays to take notice of when he does.

Race 6 – 3:20PM Cathay Pacific Futurity Stakes (1400 METRES)

Track Condition: Good 3 Time: 1:23.03 Last 600m: 0:34.92

1

ALL TOO HARD

Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes

Dwayne Dunn

$1.90F

2

GLASS HARMONIUM (IRE)

Michael Moroney

Steven Arnold

$18

3

KING MUFHASA (NZ)

Bruce Wallace

Michael Rodd

$5.50

Two early surprises in this race, All Too Hard being the first out of the barriers and Glass Harmonium being the second. Both have been known to miss the start although All Too Hard seems to have put that bad habit behind him of late. All Too Hard has really turned a corner this campaign. He has developed into a professional racehorse. Last campaign he was winning on pure ability but was an enigma for the trainer and punters alike. Now the most expensive colt in the land has earned that title. When they settled down Glass Harmonium led from King Mufhasa. Green Moon was closer than expected finding the box seat run third the fence. All Too Hard eased back to sit midfield one off the fence. Around the turn Glass Harmonium went for home and tried to kick away with King Mufhasa struggling to get past him. Green Moon tried to push out of a pocket behind them but All Too Hard loomed up on the outside and kept Green Moon behind the leading pair. All Too Hard displayed a dazzling turn of foot today to put 4 lengths on Glass Harmonium inside the final 200m. Green Moon was unlucky to no finish 2nd as he lost his momentum when he went for the gap that closed at the 200m. The flashing light run was Maluckyday who was finding the line as good as All Too Hard. Mourayan and Niwot also put in good runs.

Worth Noting: All Too Hard has improved a great deal from the spring. He has put it all together now and can find a position in his races making him almost unbeatable in everything he contests. This day has been kind to Dwayne Dunn over the years and today was no different with Dunn scoring a treble.

Race 7 – 4:00PM Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200 METRES)

Track Condition: Good 3 Time: 1:09.76 Last 600m: 0:35.00

1

MIRACLES OF LIFE

Daniel Clarken

Ms Lauren Stojakovic (a)

$3.20F

2

FAST ’N’ ROCKING

David Hayes

Steven Arnold

$26

3

GODIVA ROCK

Michael Kent

Michael Rodd

$17

Miracles Of Life was simply outstanding and the only thing as good as her in this race was the ride by Ms Lauren Stojakovic. Lauren deserves 10/10 for what was as good a ride as you will see on a race track. When they jumped Metastasio and Gregers went fast trying to cross from out wide and set up a strong early temp with every horse in the field running sub 11 seconds for the second 200m split. The Bowler kicked up and found the box seat with Montsegur on his outside. Just over a length away was Miracles Of Life who was able to retain a handy position without burning the candle early. From that point onwards if the gaps came she was always going to win. Only bad luck could have beaten her. Kona Breeze and Guelph had no luck getting posted three wide back in the field. The most impressive part of Lauren’s ride was at the 600m when she pushed through a gap between The Bowler and Montsegur. That move had her poised three wide at the turn ready to let down and that she did exploding away from them at the 200m. Fast ‘n’ Rocking and Godiva Rock stuck to the fence and worked home well from the second half of the field to fill the places. The disappointing run of the race was from Crack A Rodie who was last the entire race and tailed off in the straight. C Williams, rider of Crack A Roadie, could offer no explanation other than the colt felt a little short in its near fore. A subsequent veterinary examination of Crack A Roadie revealed no abnormalities.

Worth Noting: A fairytale finish for Daniel Clarken, Ms Lauren Stojakovic and the horse they call ‘Barbie‘. Terrific stuff for the sport of kings.

Race 8 – 4:40PM Sportingbet Oakleigh Plate (1100 METRES)

Track Condition: Good 3 Time: 1:03.16 Last 600m: 0:34.06

1

MRS ONASSIS

Gerald Ryan

Kerrin McEvoy

$16

2

FACILE TIGRE

Jason McLachlan

Brad Rawiller

$15

3

SPIRIT OF BOOM

Tony Gollan

Brett Prebble

$11

For most punters this race unfolded before the jump. The field was locked away and ready to jump when Shamal Wind sat down in the barrier. Matters went from bad to worse for punters while the vets were checking over Shamal Wind as the well backed favourite Barakey attempted to burrow under the front of the gates. Barakey underwent a veterinary examination and was subsequently a late withdrawal on veterinary advice. In a bizarre chain of events vets passed Shamal Wind fit to run after more than 5 minutes behind the gates. When the field finally left the gates Mrs Onassis and Adebisi were the first into stride and sprinted fast to set up a good tempo. Undeniably and Rescue Mission were posted wide throughout. Ortensia and Woorim both struggled to keep in touch with the field. Shamal Wind stuck to the fence behind the leading bunch. As the turned for home Mrs Onassis looked to be travelling strongly and she went past Adebisi under hands and heels ridding by McEvoy. Shamal Wind tried to pick up on the inside but wasn’t responding when Bossy asked her for the effort. Facile Tigre found a split through the middle and sprinted quickly once out but was no match for Mrs Onassis over 1100m. Spirit Of Boom hit the line well as he always seems to do without winning. Unanimously and Lone Rock worked home steadily.

Worth Noting: Controversial decisions by vets before the race to run Shamal Wind and scratch Barakey. It’s hard to know if they got it right but either way it put a bit of a dampener on this Group 1 race.

Race 9 – 5:20PM TBV Mannerism Stakes (1400 METRES)

Track Condition: Good 3 Time: 1:25.03 Last 600m: 0:34.62

1

STAR OF GISE

Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra

Kerrin McEvoy

$4.60F

2

FAMILY CREST (NZ)

Robbie Griffiths

Ryan Maloney

$14

3

HI BELLE

John Gunning

Vlad Duric

$9

Star Of Giselle started favourite and was well supported late on track to take out the final event. The starter caught them in a perfect line. Shortly after the start Hi Belle and Vibrant Rouge drifted back. Family Crestworked across to take over the running from Rose Pattern and Star Of Giselle in a beautiful spot third on the fence. Around the turn Family Crest kicked strongly and beat off the challenge of Rose Pattern. Star Of Giselle took a few strides to balance up after easing away from the fence and looked as though she may struggle to run down Family Crest. Hi Belle was the widest runner but was storming home and looked like she may grab the lot of them. Star Of Giselle dug deep the final 50m to stuck her head out to win. Another stride and Hi Belle wins. Great finish to a great days racing.

Worth Noting: Star Of Giselle is a winner and winners keep winning. Hi Belle is a teriffic fresh horse and will be very hard to beat second up.

A 2200m staying event to start the day at Warwick Farm in very gloomy conditions and a track that started as a slow 7 but was eventually downgraded to a heavy 10. They began on pretty even terms in the first, with Now I see, Planetarium and Agent Bauer initially making a line of three, before Now I see established a clear lead. The runs came before the turn, with Marden establishing a break and holding on in the straight despite Now I See fighting on very well. It was a well deserved win for a horse that has been pretty consistent and sometimes luckless. Sindarin ran ok into third.

Knoydart was sent out a short priced favourite in this, but I reckon you had to be very keen to take the odds in these conditions. Turnley found support in betting and also found a clear lead early, although well off the fence, from Landsdowne Road and Zin Zan Eddie. Knoydart made its claim before the turn, out wide, but realistically that was short lived. Zin Zan Eddie trailed up beautifully before the turn, and when let loose out widest put a gap in them. Diamond Drille which looked a spent force before the turn managed to fight off Knoydart for second prize.

Marsielle Roulette found some support in betting here, and began very quickly to lead. When they fully settled,Good Job Bro had idled into second spot, with Calming Influence and Rockford getting cover just behind the speed. At the 500m, Rockford looked to possibly clip heels and the stumble in the going, and his chances were lost and the run can be forgotten. In the straight Good Job Bro which had traveled well all the way sprinted clear for a nice win over Calming Influence. I would expect Mr Jackman, Champollion and Parfuri all to be improvers in this, as they may not have liked the wet but still got to the line nicely enough.

California Storm was easily the best to begin and went straight to the lead from Mickleberg. This meant Appearance and Bella Rossie got nice runs just behind the speed, however being on the inside may not have helped in these conditions. She’s Clean sat just behind them, but deliberately three wide. Nocturnelle got back to last early on. On the turn Appearance was bumped by Mickleberg, who in turn bumped She’s Clean. To my eye, the one that copped the worst of it was Appearance. In the run to the line, She’s Clean got its momentum up to just nab Appearance, but the run of the second horse was the run of the race for mine. Colorado Claire and Nocturnelle did enough for a pass mark. I think Colorado Claire is better on dry ground.

Heavy rain for this event, with No Bad Blood finding the front from Exotic Escape, Youthful King and Territory. The above average Jacquinot Bay was sent out favourite, and got back beyond midfield in this. As had been the pattern in a couple of earlier races, Jacquinot Bay took off just before the turn, and came the widest into the straight, and was up to challenge for the lead when they straightened. In what was a blanket finish, Jacquinot Bay showed it had a touch of class by maintaining its fairly long run to the line, despite Brayroan at bolter’s odds getting the short way home and giving it a scare. This is a race to have a look at the replay of if you can, as several runners went better than the formguide will suggest. Eigelstein was the most impacted when No Bad Blood who was disappointing, fell back in its face as it was trying to run on. Deceiver was also notably cramped for room in the last bit. Mossamine got home very well, and Zedlion was still showing all his fight in the last bit of the race.

The main event was The Apollo Stakes and they cut a very murky figure from the 1400m gates, now racing on a heavy 9. Laser Hawk and Tougher Than Ever took it up in front, with Dr Doom, Glencadam Gold and and Monton all up in handy positions. When they came to the turn, Alma’s Fury had moved up into a challenging position. In the straight, Alma’s Fury wore down Tougher Than Ever to score, with Danleigh making ground on the inside for third, but realistically, in what was the worst conditions I’ve seen a race run in for quite a while, I am not sure you can take too much notice of the form. A horse I would give a pass mark to and follow was the resuming, Gatewood.

The track was a heavy 10 now and Streama began well in this, but in a race that didn’t look to have a clear leader on paper, it turned out that way, with them spread across the track and about a length between 6 horses early. Around the turn, Streama and Skytrain were widest, and as we had seen in earlier races, those out wide took an advantage early in the straight. Inside the 200m when Skytrain was asked to go, he again showed his appreciation of wet ground and sprinted clear of Streama, which tried hard and those two gapped the rest withOnthelookout gaining the day for third prize. On that first up effort, Streama will find a suitable race soon, but all credit to Skytrain today.

The lead was fairly keenly contested here by Falklands, Magic Weekend and Hardbreak Hotel. It was Hardbreak Hotel and Falklands that went on with it, with Magic Weekend taking the sit, but the pace looked pretty hot. Havana Rey got a good run in fourth about 5 lengths from the lead. About 700m out, Falklands declared war on Hardbreak Hotel, but realistically it was suicide for both runners. As we had seen a number of times earlier in the day, Havana Rey used the same pattern of coming up out wide before the turn, and hit the front as they straightened, from Shamardani which trailed it up. Palasport was trying to come with its run but was hampered on the turn, which cost it some momentum. Havana Rey was the best horse in the race, and was given the best ride to win. Peck did well to make up ground from the rear, but we know he is a bit of a non winner.

As the founder and CEO of Champion Bets, David has been writing insightful betting articles since 2006 and has hosted the Betting 360 Podcast from 2013-2016. Along with a team of professionals, he helps punters win their battle against the bookies.

With over 10 years' experience, Champion Bets has been Australia's favourite source of betting and ratings packages for over 26,000 members across 19 different packages. Specialising in a variety of sports including Horse Racing, NRL, AFL, Soccer, Cricket and more; there's a package for anyone.

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With over 10 years' experience, Champion Bets has been Australia's favourite source of betting and ratings packages for over 26,000 members across 19 different packages. Specialising in a variety of sports including Horse Racing, NRL, AFL, Soccer, Cricket and more; there's a package for anyone.